PhysicianH a r r i s C o u n t y

John P. McGovern Building1515 Hermann DriveHouston, TX 77004-7126

usPs 960-580

AT HOUSTON, TEXAS

PAID

PERIODICALS POSTAGE

The official publication of the Harris County Medical Society • Volume 54 • Number 20 • December 15, 2012

HCMSHarris County Medical Society

N e w s l e t t e r PhysicianH a r r i s C o u n t y

N e w s l e t t e r

HCMS Newsletter presented by the HCMS Community Health Improvement & Communications Committee

Scan herefor newsletter

Rosalia Resendiz, pictured above, was captivated by the sights

and sounds of the holidays at the Harris County Medical Society

Alliance’s 39th annual “Touch, Smell & Hear” event for mentally

and/or physically challenged children at the John P. McGovern

Museum of Health & Medical Science on Dec. 3. Approximately

450 children experienced the holidays through their senses by

touching and smelling interactive decorated ornaments on the

trees, listening to live choir music and meeting Santa.

Installation of Officers &

Leadership RecognitionJoin us Friday, Jan. 18, as Russell W. H. Kridel, MD is

installed as president of HCMS, and Bradford Patt, MD, aspresident of the Houston Academy of Medicine (HAM),and recognize the 2013 leadership of HCMS and HAM. Thekeynote speaker will be Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD, for-mer president of the American Medical Association. Watchyour mail for your invitation.

Make calls to the CongressYour help is needed to convince Congress to stop the

Medicare financing it uses to pay physicians. Please callWashington at 7 a.m. every Tuesday, until Congress stopsthis year’s 27.5-percent payment cut and agrees to fix thedefective Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. Get com-mitments from Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchisonand your representative to fix the 12-year-old problem. Fortalking points and congressional phone numbers, go theMedicare Meltdown Action Center at www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=18822, on the TMA Web site.

Source: TMAPresented by the HCMS Board of Medical Legislation

Medicaid fees to Medicare ratesThe federal government is a master of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Now it is

applying that strategy to two of our most important issues. One aspect of theAffordable Care Act (ACA) that was a plus for physicians was the promise tobring Medicaid rates up to Medicare levels in 2013. Now, some in Congressare proposing to scrap that idea and use the money that would have funded itto pay for a one-year SGR fix. To add to the madness, even if the parity cut isnot stopped, sources from Austin state that physicians are looking at a delay inparity payments that could be as late as June. Either way, do not plan onreceiving a Medicare parity payment from Medicaid starting January 2013.

The Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) has been informed by theTexas Medical Association (TMA) that several developments regarding theimpending primary care physician Medicaid payment increase may be undera threat of extinction before it is even implemented. Under the law, Medicaidpayments to primary care physicians (i.e., pediatricians, family physicians,general internists, and related subspecialists) will increase to Medicare parityfor two years for E&M and vaccine administration codes. The fee increaseapplies to Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care and will be paid forentirely with federal funds for two years. However, recently, the HouseRepublicans presented a proposal to the Senate Finance Committee to divertthe $15 billion that is allocated to the Medicaid PCP rate increase to preventthe scheduled 27.5 percent Medicare physician payment reduction. TheAmerican Medical Association (AMA) and national primary care physicianspecialty societies are spearheading a sign-on letter opposing the effort. TMAsupported the letter, which was sent to Congressional leaders on Dec. 4.HCMS leadership also sent letters to Congressional leaders on behalf of themembership opposing the use of the Medicare parity dollars to stop the SGRcut in 2013. Physicians deserve both the parity payment and a decentMedicare payment. Organized medicine is urging Congress to stop the cutand increase payments to physicians who care for Medicare patients.

In addition, assuming the federal funds for the Medicaid increase remainintact, state officials have informed TMA that it - and the majority of otherstates - will not be able to implement the rate increase on Jan. 1, because ofthe numerous outstanding technical and system changes that must beaddressed. The final federal rules governing the rate increase were not releaseduntil Nov. 1. The Health and Human Services Commission and other stateMedicaid agencies are working with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) to resolve the technical questions. For example, to receive the higherpayments, physicians will be required to self-attest that they are eligible forthe dollars, but, at this time, it is not clear how this process will work.

Texas has proposed that once it implements the rate increase, the state andHMOs will pay practices a lump sum for claims submitted retroactive to Jan.1, then pay the adjusted rate on each claim going forward. Look for updatesin the upcoming issues of HCMS Physician Newsletter and on the HCMS Web site,www.hcms.org.

Source: Texas Medical Association Presented by the HCMS Board on Socioeconomics

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 1

Universal Physicians, P.A.: Full-time and moon-

lighting house MDs needed for long-term acute

care facilities. Memorial City/Bellaire/Pasadena/Clearlake. ACLS required. Flexible scheduling, imme-diate openings. Telemedicine opportunities also avail-able. Email or call for details: jobs@Universal

Physicians.com, or 832-295-0921.

STATE-OF-THE-ART DENTAL PRACTICE , SINCE2005, 1001 FM 270 LEAGUE CITY TX ,IS LOOKINGTO SUBLEASE 8 EXAM RMS, 2 FURNISHED LABS,MINIMUM 3 RMS per tenant (DOCTORS/DENTIST)$1000/RM MONTHLY SPLIT UTILITIES, WATER ANDELECTRIC . VALUED OVER $1000,000.moradi.mark@gmail.com, or call 281-536-2734.

President’sPage

2 Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 / www.hcms.org Classified ads are run on a first-come, first-serve basis. For rate information, call 713-524-4267. Advertising is subject to acceptance by publisher.

Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising. Publication of an ad is not to be considered an endorsement or approval by HCMS.

All articles in The Harris County Physician Newsletter that mention HCMS’ stance on state legislation are defined as “legislative advertising,” according to Tex. Gov’t. Code Ann.§305.027. That law requires disclosure of the name and address of the person who contracts with the printer to publish legislative advertising in The Harris County PhysicianNewsletter. Greg Bernica, executive vice president, Harris County Medical Society, 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004-7126.

The Harris County Physician Newsletter (USPS 960-580) is the official publication of the Harris County Medical Society. Offices: 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston TX 77004-7126,(713) 524-HCMS (4267), www.hcms.org. It is Published 20 times per year - twice monthly except in January, June, July, and August, which are monthly. The subscriptionrate is $15.00 per year. Single copies are 75 cents. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Harris County Physician Newsletter, 1515Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004-7126.

Making positive changes

Margaret Mead said it best: “Never doubt that a small groupof thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.” Thisis certainly true of Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) andTexas Medical Association (TMA) physicians who have beenworking to make Harris County and Texas healthier for physi-cians and our patients. Although we are facing many uncertain-ties and challenges in health care, HCMS and TMA physicianshave strived to find the opportunities.

We began the year by tackling physicians’ Medicare pay-ments. Fourteen HCMS physicians met with CongressmanKevin Brady to discuss how Congress could fix the SGR, physi-cians’ Medicare payment system. Following the roundtable dis-cussion, the Congressman joined the physicians in holding anews conference with the local media. Several television andradio stations reported about the issue. Also, TMA, along with63 national medical organizations, specialty societies, medicalgroup management organizations, 44 state medical associa-tions, and the Medical Society of District of Columbia, sent aletter to Congress urging it to fix Medicare permanently.Although Congress did stop the scheduled cuts to physicians’Medicare payments in 2012, it did not fix the SGR. So, HCMSand TMA have begun a new Medicare campaign against the2013 scheduled cuts.

Our HCMS physicians continued our legislative efforts atthe national and state levels through interaction with electedand regulatory officials and relationships with various organiza-tions. HCMS has been working with the Greater HoustonPartnership, Harris County Healthcare Alliance, the TexasMedical Center, and others so that they would understand howvarious laws will affect patients. Also, our HCMS Delegationinfluenced TMA policy by taking 24 resolutions to TMA, mostof which passed or were referred.

HCMS and TMA have successfully advocated to the stateLegislature and the Texas Medical Board (TMB) for improve-ments in its policies by using the information collectedthrough HCMS membership surveys on the TMB. Theseimprovements have included: changing the initial letterresponse time from 30 to 45 days; providing physicians withthe name and address of complainants when it is an insurancecompany or pharmaceutical company; and eliminating TMBacceptance of anonymous complaints. HCMS recently collectedinformation on its fourth survey, which shows vast improve-ment in physicians’ view of the TMB.

Numerous policy changes, benefiting patients and physi-cians, as well as the collection of physician payments havecome as result of HCMS physicians regularly meeting withhealth plans, Medicare, elected officials, and regulators toresolve physician issues. This year, the HCMS Payment AdvocacyDepartment collected more than $1.85 million in money owedto physicians. Since 2000, HCMS has assisted both academicand private physicians in collecting more than $19 million.HCMS is now working with the American Medical Association(AMA) to simplify administrative processes with health plans.

Other advocacy efforts this year have included, HCMS com-menting on “meaningful use” Stage 2; identifying vendors toassist with meaningful use certification; meetings with hospi-tals on the Medicaid 1115 Waiver; and working with GreaterHouston Healthconnect (GHH) to create a secure patient infor-

mation exchange. As a result of TMA and AMA advocacy, ICD-10, the new diagnosis codes proposed for implementation byMedicare, was delayed. Our HCMS Emergency Care Committeetook on a longstanding issue of emergency department over-crowding. It identified innovative approaches to address theissue, which were disseminated to hospitals.

Both, physicians and our patients want to know how theAffordable Care Act (ACA) will affect them. TMA reviewed the3,000+ page ACA document and created the document, “ACA:Find What’s Missing, Keep What Works, Fix What’s Broken,” sothat we could understand and address issues found missing inthe ACA. TMA also developed seminars, telephone conferences,and both HCMS and TMA developed committees (quality andhealth information technology) to help guide us with changesin health care.

There were many new state and federal compliances thatwere not a part of ACA that required action by physicians thisyear. HCMS worked diligently to assist us in keep up with themby: creating a Medicare/Medicaid compliance calendar to keepus updated on what was due and when; creating a Medicare/Medicaid incentive calculator to help us decide if the incen-tives, as written, were worth pursuing; and educating us on thenew Medicare Administrative Contractor, Novitas Solutions, bydedicating a Web page, many articles and emails on the transi-tion.

Because the health care system is changing so rapidly,HCMS and TMA have been working to bring us information onalternative practice models. Information is available on theHCMS Web site and through TMA’s book “Non-physicianPractitioners.” Additionally, TMA developed several Webinars,investigative tools to assist us, held three seminars in Houston,and created the TMA Futures Institute.

To help us in our everyday practices, HCMS has beenimproving membership services. HCMS developed the OnlineMember Directory so that now we can look up current informationon our colleagues, such as email addresses, fax numbers, NPInumbers, as well as biographical information. Networkingreceptions and ethics CME seminars on the business of medi-cine were held throughout Houston. Additionally, an upgradewas made to our HCMS Physician Referral System to make itmore useful. These are just a few of the services HCMS has tooffer to help us in our practices. New services are being addedas physicians’ needs change.

I’m very proud of HCMS and all it has been able to accom-plish. This year, while other organizations struggled for mem-bership, HCMS reached a milestone of 11,000 members. It isour physicians who make this organization great, and moreimportantly, make a difference in health care. Next year, being alegislative year, there will be numerous opportunities for posi-tive change. With our strong leadership team led by RussellKridel, MD, as president, I am certain we will be successful.Please join me in thanking all of our dedicated volunteer physi-cians who helped us meet this year’s challenges, named in theDec. 1 issue and this issue’s Advocate.

It’s been an honor working with the greatest physicians andthe greatest medical society in the nation. Thank you for allyour hard work, kind words and encouragement throughoutthe year. It has been an experience I will treasure forever!

Keith A.

Bourgeois, M.D.

President

Multi-location Medical Clinics in Houston Area

is looking for Part-Time / Full-Time Family

Practioners. Excellent compensation. Email C.V. tohelenac@drclh.com, or call 281-496-2526 ext. 107.

PEDIATRICIAN WANTED: Pediatrician to join arespected and well established large family and multi-specialty practice in Webster, Texas. Brand new officebuilding with EMR and state of the art equipment.Please send your CV to: candice.lopez@

gulfcoastmed.com or fax CV to 281-724-0220.

FOR SALE: URGENT CARE CLINIC LOCATED IN

NW HOUSTON (1960 AREA) Great opportunity forphysicians interested in Primary Care... MUST HAVEMINOR SURGICAL SKILLS IN EMERGENCIES. Andexperience in Chronic and Irratractable Pain. Musthave CLASS 2 and 3 Schedules… Email all resumesand inquiries to: Dockuy@aol.com.

PEDIATRICIANS NEEDED in Greater HOUSTON Area

PT or Locum Pediatric Position. Weekend (Noon to7pm) , Night (5-11pm weekdays) and Holiday (noon to7pm) shifts for PT; primarily weekend shifts for Locum.Urgent Care Practices located in Sugar Land and CyFair. Acute care only, with great work environment andopportunity to do urgent care procedures. Call 832-

202-6285 or agentlemd@nightlightpediatrics.com

PHYSICIAN NEEDED FOR ONE MONTH, in a painmanagement office. Well structured practice with goodpatient base. From mid December 2012 to midJanuary 2013, Weekdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Goodcompensation, call Donna at 713-450-4945, or fax CVto 713-450-4928.

Houston Center for Infectious Diseases is lookingfor a Physician, N.P., or Physician Assistant to join ouroffice in The Woodlands. Full Time position with greatbenefits. Email your CV or Resume todkrantz.hcid@hotmail.com

Medical Office Space Pearland. New Clinic. 2,800 sq ft. 10 Exam Rooms. FM/IM physician looking tosublease 5 Exam Rooms to Podiatrist, Opthalmo-logist, Dermatologist OR Subspecialty Physician look-ing to expand practice. Share Lab, Waiting Area,Reception, Break Room. Off 288 and Shadow CreekRanch. Email drmussaji@yahoo.com.

Unique medical business opportunity. Established

gynecology clinic is seeking Physician, Board

Certified or eligible in Ob/Gyn. Candidate must bepro-choice, experienced in office surgery. Flexible workschedule, exceptional compensation in reputableHouston clinic. Resume please houstongynclinic@

gmail.com

Medical Office Space in Memorial on I-10 corridor

for rent 2-3 days/half-days per week. Fully equipped,with 3 exam rooms, waiting room, nurse’s station andpatient greeting area. Quiet office building 2 miles eastof MHMC on south I-10 feeder road. Negotiable terms.Contact: Leslie 713-932-8664, ext. 304, orlmhaber@rmcmed.com.

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 2

Visit the calendar online at www.hcms.org

January Calendar

www.hcms.org / Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 36 Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 / www.hcms.org

Hot Member BenefitSearch for physicians

by languageDid you know that you can find a refer-

ring physician by language? The HarrisCounty Medical Society Health Plan LiaisonCommittee has created a table that explainshow to find a physician by language on theWeb sites of the top five health plans inHouston (Aetna, BCBSTX, CIGNA, Humana,and UnitedHealthcare).

To download the instructions, go towww.hcms. org/Template.aspx?id=1359.

In MemoriamCharles A. Spain, MD, a radiologist, died onNov. 20. He had been a member of HCMSsince 1959.

Maria D. Nikolaidis, MD, a pediatrician,died Nov. 19. She had been a member ofHCMS since 1979.

Shopping for products

for your practice?Are you shopping for a product for your prac-

tice, but don’t know where to start? The HCMSBuyer’s Guide on the HCMS Web site is an excellentresource for you. Go to www.hcms.org and clickon “Medserv/Practice Services” and then “BuyersGuide” for an index by product category with serv-ices ranging from accounting to Web page design.Some vendors in the guide may feature specialoffers for HCMS members.

You can email the vendor from the Buyer’sGuide site or view their Web site before you call.When contacting a vendor from the Buyer’s Guide,be sure to let them know you heard about themfrom HCMS. If you work with them, give Medservfeedback about the experience by emailingholly@medserv-hcms.com.

Presented by Medserv

Tuesday 1New Year’s Day, HCMS Offices Closed

Monday 76:30 p.m., Houston Dermatological Society,Grappino di Nino

Tuesday 86:30 p.m., Physician Organization of Women,Sonoma Wine Bar and Restaurant

Wednesday 96:30 p.m., Harris County Academy of FamilyPhysicians, Maggiano’s

Thursday 106:30 p.m., Houston Orthopedic Society, Brennan’s

Monday 146 p.m., Houston Radiological Society, Trevisio

Tuesday 156:30 p.m., Houston Pediatric Society, Location: TBA

Wednesday 166:30 p.m., Houston Psychiatric Society, Trevisio

Thursday 176:30 p.m., Hiispanic American Medical Association ofHouston, Location: TBA

Friday 186:30 p.m., HCMS/HAM Installation of Officers,Petroleum Club

Wednesday 236:30 p.m., Houston Surgical Society, Location: TBA

Thursday 316:30 p.m., Houston Society of Otolaryngology &Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons CombinedMeeting, The Grove

6:30 p.m., Texas Gulf Coast GastroenterologicalSociety, Location: TBA

HIT ParadeSecond chance to file eRx exemption

Physicians who missed the June 30 deadline will have a second chance to file for 2013 e-prescribing (eRx) exemption to avoid a 1.5 percent penalty on their traditional fee-for-servicepatients (Medicare Part B).

Physicians meeting any one of the criteria listed below can apply for a hardship exemp-tion online with Medicare until Jan. 31, 2013.

1. Physician cannot electronically prescribe due to local, state, or federal law or regulation (e.g., you prescribe controlled substances). 2. Physician prescribes less than 100 prescriptions, this means all prescriptions not just Medicare between Jan. 1 and June 30. 3. Physician practice is in a rural area without high-speed Internet access.4. Physician practice is in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing.

Physicians participating in the Medicare or Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR)Incentive Programs may qualify for one of the two criteria listed below. Medicare will checkthe EHR Incentive Programs Registration and Attestation Web site for qualifying physiciansand automatically exempt them.

1. To qualify for the exemption, physicians should be meaningfully using their EHR for 90 days (if attesting for the first year) or for a full year (for all subsequent year) at some point during Jan. 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012, and attest to this by Jan. 21, 2013.

a. Meaningful use means physicians must be able to use their EHR and enter all infor-mation required to meet the 15 core criteria and five menu criteria for at least 80 per-cent of their patients.

2. Physicians who are not yet using but are in the process of adopting an EHR must regis-ter for the EHR Incentive Program by Jan. 21, 2013. Physicians must enter their entire EHR certification number into the CMS EHR certification ID field on the registration and attestation Web site to receive this hardship.

Note: Meeting anyone of the criteria above will exempt physicians from the 2013 1.5 per-cent eRx penalty. However, to receive a 0.5 percent 2013 eRx incentive, physicians must stillreport 25 eRx events using the G8553 claims code with dates of service Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2013,to reach the Medicare claims database by Feb. 22, 2014.

- The eRx event will only count towards the 25 if the G8553 is associated with these billing codes: 90801, 90802, 90804, 90805, 90806, 90807, 90808, 90809, 90862, 92002, 92004, 92012, 92014, 96150, 96151, 96152, 99201, 99202, 99203, 99204, 99205, 99211, 99212, 99213, 99214, 99215, 99304, 99305, 99306, 99307, 99308, 99309, 99310, 99315, 99316, 99324, 99325, 99326, 99327, 99328, 99334, 99335, 99336, 99337, 99341, 99342, 99343, 99344, 99345, 99347, 99348, 99349, 99350, G0101, G0108, and G0109.

For more information, go to www.hcms.org and click on Health Information Technology.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Presented by the HCMS Health Information Technology Committee

Trend: Health care

among most trustedIn its "Healthwatch" blog, The Hill

(12/4, Baker) reports that "medical profes-sionals are some of the most trusted peoplein the U.S., according to new data fromGallup." The blog said that "the polling firmasked respondents to rate the 'honesty andethical standards' of various professions, andthe top of the list is full of health care pro-fessionals." It adds that "nurses polled thebest, with 85 percent saying they have highor very high ethical standards."

Source: AMA Morning Rounds, Dec. 4, 2012

Your membership renewalIt’s time to renew your Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) membership for 2013! The

statements this year look a little different. The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is mailing thestatements and processing the dues on HCMS’ behalf. The main difference in the statements isthat checks should be made payable to TMA vs. HCMS. If you are paying by credit card, pleasenote that your credit card statement will show that the charge is from TMA, not HCMS.

Renewing your dues is fast and easy. Use any of the options listed below:1. Detach the payment slip included in your dues statement and mail with your check or credit card payment to the address indicated on the form;2. Renew online at www.texmed.org/join; or3. Set up an installment plan - Call HCMS at 713-524-4267.

HCMS, the largest county medical society in the nation, is the leading advocate for physi-cians, their patients and the community in Harris County. Together with TMA, the largest statemedical association in the nation, they are a strong physician advocate in Harris County, Texasand the United States. Your dues enable both organizations to defend physicians’ and patients’interests and help physicians protect the viability of their practices. Your 2012 membershipexpires on Jan. 1, 2013. If you have questions, contact HCMS at 713-524-4267.

Bio cards in December, Roster in JuneBio cards to update your information for the HCMS/HAM Pictorial Roster will arrive by mail starting Dec. 21. Take time to review the infor-

mation and make corrections or updates. The deadline to turn in your bio cards is March 28, 2013. Does this seem later that usual? It is later,because the HCMS/HAM 2013-2014 Pictorial Roster will now be delivered in June. Active members will receive their free copy in June.

Need current information now? HCMS has a new Online Member Directory you can use today. You can access more physician information,which includes fax and NPI numbers, e-mail addresses, as well as the current information in the Roster. It’s for HCMS members only. Go towww.hcms.org and click on the box on the home page. Use your TMA log in to access the Online Member Directory.

All HCMS members have a complimentary biographical listing in the Online Member Directory. You can now add information about yourpractice, such as languages spoken, office locations, or procedures performed, with a Practice Listing in the Online Member Directory and PictorialRoster. For an annual fee of $215 you can have Online Practice Listings for all HCMS members in your practice in the Online Member Directoryplus one free Practice Listing in the 2013-2014 HCMS Pictorial Roster. Create the Online Practice Listing at your convenience by clicking thebox on www.hcms.org for the Online Member Directory and logging into your profile. The deadline to participate is April 1, 2013.

Business of Medicine: Choosing a new billing companyIn the July 15 issue of the newsletter, we provided steps to take when meeting with your poor-performing billing company. If, after

working with your billing representative, you are still having problems, you may now be considering switching to a new billing company. The most important thing to remember when going through this process is: “Will this be a good fit for my business?” Good fit means:

Does the company you are considering do a good job managing practices your size? Once you have narrowed down your options, here aresome other very important questions to ask:

1. What is your rate? Keep in mind that if a company is going to provide you with amazing service, that extra 1 percent might just getyou to a much better place with your business, and be well worth the extra expense. Keep an open mind.

2. If we collect the patient co-pays and co-insurance, or if a patient pays a cash rate, do you still collect your percent with thosemonies collected? The answer should be “No.” If you and your staff are taking the time and effort to collect this up front, then that moneyshould be 100 percent yours. There are no administrative costs incurred to the billing company (i.e., time, printing statements, mailing, etc.)so they should be not be adding that into your bill.

3. Do I have a designated representative I can talk to? Does he/she work on my accounts consistently? The answer should be “Yes.”With the insurance industry as volatile as it is, accounts can get very complicated, so it is important that you have the same people workingon your accounts. If patients call in and ask to speak with your representative, they should be able to get the rep on the phone. Rememberthat this team is an extension of your business.

4. How do you handle payment denials and delays? This should be an easy one. The answer should be “Quickly and efficiently.” Theyshould be asking for items from your staff which might include: copy of health card, RX, DX, copy of initial evaluation, chart notes, etc.,every week, if not more often. The quicker your staff can get these items to them, the quicker they can appeal. Some insurance companiesdeny up front in order to delay payment. A good billing company knows who these insurance companies are and can help you get paid onthose services much quicker.

5. Who keeps track of my business statistics and analysis? This answer should be you. You are ultimately responsible for your bottomline. However, a good and reputable billing company will have this information available to you on a daily basis through a Web site or portal.It is very important to know how to access your daily A/R, and if this is not provided, this would certainly be a red flag. The company alsoshould have business analysis individuals who can help answer any questions you may have, and be happy to do so.

6. Can you help me integrate my EHR with your billing company? This answer should be “Yes, most definitely.” However, some billingcompanies are scrambling to make sure their systems are “talking” with all of the new EHR systems coming out every day. Ask them up frontwhich systems are compatible. Source: Physicians Practice

Presented by the HCMS Board on Socioeconomics

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 3

4 Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 / www.hcms.org www.hcms.org / Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 5

HCMS Central Branch Officers: Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD, President; Brian S. Goldfarb,

MD, President Elect; Brian S. Wang, MD,

Vice President; and George W. Williams II,

MD, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS East Branch Officers: Magdy A.

Abdelsayed, MD, President; Shariq J. Rauf,

MD, President Elect; Richard W. Demmler,

MD, Vice President; and J. Kevin Horn,

MD, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS North Branch Officers: David P.

Poindexter, MD, President; James S. Guo,

MD, President Elect; Michelle A. Zaniewski,

MD, Vice President; and Saurabh S.

Moonat, DO, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS Southeast Branch Officers:

Matthew D. Hoggatt, MD, President;

Theodoros Voloyiannis, MD, President

Elect; Jignesh P. Shah, MD, Vice President;

and Karan S. Bhalla, MD, Secretary/

Treasurer.

HCMS Southwest Branch Officers:

Daniel C. Corredor, MD, President;

Benjamin Interiano, MD, President Elect; J.

Guillermo Trabanino II, MD, Vice President;

and Eddie L. Patton Jr., MD, Secretary/

Treasurer.

HCMS Western Branch Officers: Liliane

Hay, MD, President; Christopher N.

Prichard, MD, President Elect; Muffaddal S.

Morkas, MD, Vice President; and Etai

Funk, MD, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS Nominating Board: Guru N.

Reddy, MD, Chair; Magdy A. Abdelsayed,

MD; Daniel C. Corredor, MD; Liliane Hay,

MD; Matthew D. Hoggatt, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Russell W. H. Kridel, MD;

Bradford S. Patt, MD; Steven M. Petak,

MD; and David P. Poindexter, MD.

HCMS Council of Hospital Chiefs of

Staff: Victor Fainstein, MD, Chair;

Elizabeth Bonefas, MD; Carmel Bitondo

Dyer, MD; Gerard E. Francisco, MD; Ellen

M. Friedman, MD; William S. Gilmer, MD;

Jon R. Gogola, MD; Muhammad Hanif,

MD; R. Andrew Harper III, MD; F. Lyone

Hochman, MD; Uzma Iqbal, MD; Paul J.

James, MD; Tien C. Ko, MD; Russell W. H.

Kridel, MD; Donald H. Mahoney Jr., MD;

Chi C. Mao, MD; Kenneth L. Mattox, MD; P.

D. Julie Nguyen, MD; Richard L. Noel, MD;

Thomas J. Parr, MD; George A. Peterkin III,

MD; M. Alma Rodriguez, MD; George D.

Santos, MD; Ana M. Torres, MD; Joseph

Varon, MD; and Matthew J. Wall Jr., MD.

HCMS Council of International and

Affiliated Medical Societies: Maria

Carmen A. Sarino, MD, Chair; Ajay

Aggarwal, MD; Ali Al-Himyary, MD;

Natarajan Bala, MD; Danny C. Chow, MD;

Tue A. Dinh, MD; Ray Hachem, MD; Abida

K. Haque, MD; Carlos Hernandez, MD;

Yvonne Kew, MD, PhD; Edward H.

Mazique, MD; Jose A. Perez Jr., MD;

Shariq J. Rauf, MD; Arnold Ravdel, MD;

Yasser Shaib, MD; Judy Shaw-Rice, MD;

Ghyasuddin Syed, MD; and Jay Zhu, MD.

HCMS Council of Specialty Societies:

Melissa A. Bogle, MD, Chair; Asra Ali, MD;

Randall W. Brauchle, MD; Phebe Chen,

MD; D. Lynn Dickens, MD; Konrad Harms,

MD; Kenneth W. Hollis, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Prasun Jalal, MD; Daryl K.

Knox, MD; Aaron M. Levine, MD; Carlos E.

Romero, MD; Erich M. Sturgis, MD; Carlos

J. Vital, MD; Stephen E. Whitney, MD; and

Michelle D. Williams, MD.

HCMS Delegation Officers: William S.

Gilmer, MD, Chair; Arlo F. Weltge, MD, Vice

Chair; and Charlotte M. Stelly-Seitz, MD,

Secretary.

HCMS Delegates to the TMA: Jessica A.

Alexander, MD; Raymond T. Alexander,

MD; Paul M. Allison, MD; David M. Anmuth,

MD; Mario Assouad, MD; Natarajan S.

Bala, MD; Martin Basaldua, MD; Janette K.

Bateman, MD; H. S. Bedi, MD; Jimmie L.

Bergeron, MD; Melissa A. Bogle, MD; Brian

M. Bruel, MD; Aeneid L. J. Chen, MD; Kelli

A. Cohen, MD; Susan G. Curling, MD; Kyle

F. Dickson, MD; Rakhi C. Dimino, MD;

Swapan Dubey, MD; Joel S. Dunnington,

MD; Betty J. Edwards, MD; Lisa L. Ehrlich,

MD; Harry L. Faust Jr., DO; Linda W.

Flower, MD; Etai Funk, MD; Kelly A. Gabler,

MD; Bernard M. Gerber, MD; Alan P.

Glombicki, MD; Luis G. Granier, MD;

Steven E. Haber, MD; R. Andrew Harper III,

MD; Kenneth W. Hollis, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Robert E. Jackson, MD;

Robert W. Jackson, MD; Nora A. Janjan,

MD; Luckett Johnson, MD; Teresa D.

Kaldis, MD; Karl W. King, MD; Christine E.

Koerner, MD; Russell W. H. Kridel, MD;

Gerald W. Maness, MD; Aurelio Matamoros

Jr., MD; Paul M. Mauk, MD; Almas A.

Mecklai, MD; Kimberly E. Monday, MD;

Walter P. Moore III, MD; Mark L. Nichols,

MD; Richard L. Noel, MD; Irwin S. Novak,

MD; Carla F. Ortique, MD; Debra M.

Osterman, MD; Joseph M. Perlman, MD;

Evan G. Pivalizza, MD; Susan P. Raine,

MD; Arnold Ravdel, MD; K. Suresh Reddy,

MD; Edward R. Rensimer, MD; Carlos E.

Romero, MD; Susan N. Rossmann, MD;

Raul Sepulveda, MD; Mina K. Sinacori,

MD; Alan W. Skolnick, MD; Richard Strax,

MD; Rosa A. Tang, MD; Ana M. Torres, MD;

Elizabeth Torres, MD; Robert C. Vanzant,

MD; Freemu K. Varghese, MD; Ronald S.

Walters, MD; Stephen E. Whitney, MD; and

Sherif Z. Zaafran, MD.

HCMS Alternate Delegates to the TMA:

Alan C. Baum, MD; Henry L. Bethea, MD;

Richard N. Bradley, MD; Donald R. Butts,

MD; Luis H. Camacho, MD; Asif M.

Chaudhry, MD; Charles E. Cowles Jr., MD;

Richard W. Demmler; MD; Salil V.

Deshpande, MD; John J. Fraser Jr., MD; P.

Ridgway Gilmer Jr., MD; George S. Glass,

MD; Bruno P. Granwehr, MD; Charleta

Guillory, MD; James S. Guo, MD; Ori Z.

Hampel, MD; Matthew D. Hoggatt, MD;

Pamela D. Holder, MD; Lisa M. Hollier, MD;

Felicity L. Mack, MD; Pamela L. Medellin,

MD; Vinh Q. Nguyen, MD; Steven M.

Petak, MD; Manish Rungta, MD; George D.

Santos, MD; Umair A. Shah, MD; Kelvin S.

Shaw, MD; Sarah L. Svoboda, MD; Arthur

L. Taitel, MD; Carlos Vallbona, MD; Brian

S. Wang, MD; George W. Williams II, MD;

and Crystal C. Wright, MD.

HCMS Ex Officio Delegation Members to

the TMA: Michael A. Altman, MD; Keith A.

Bourgeois, MD; Diana L. Fite, MD; William

H. Fleming III, MD; Lewis E. Foxhall, MD;

Tom Garcia, MD; Kenneth L. Mattox, MD;

Ira R. Nemeth, MD; Michael E. Speer, MD;

and Carlos J. Vital, MD.

HCMS TMA Delegates to the American

Medical Association: William H. Fleming

III, MD; and Tom Garcia, MD.

HCMS TMA Alternate Delegates to the

American Medical Association: Diana L.

Fite, MD; and Kenneth L. Mattox, MD.

Standing Committees

HCMS Bylaws Committee: Gary J.

Sheppard, MD, Chair; Alan P. Glombicki,

MD; Arlo F. Weltge, MD; and Robert B.

Morrow, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Emergency Care Committee:

Swapan Dubey, MD, Chair; Richard N.

Bradley, MD; Charles E. Cowles Jr., MD;

Jeremy P. Finkelstein, MD; Diana L. Fite,

MD; Steven M. Haber, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Aurelio Matamoros Jr., MD;

Angela Siler-Fisher, MD; Arlo F. Weltge,

MD; Scott T. Wiesenborn, MD; Ira E.

Nemeth, MD, ex officio; Frank A. Redmond,

MD, ex officio; David E. Persse, MD, City of

Houston Medical Director; and Umair A.

Shah, MD.

HCMS Membership Committee: Etai

Funk, MD, Chair; David M. Anmuth, MD;

Louise H. Bethea, MD; Lindsay K. Botsford,

MD; Jonathan C. Cheng, MD; Carmen M.

Herrera, MD; Stephan P. Krotz, MD;

Brenda K. Moore, MD; Richard L. Noel,

MD; Arlo F. Weltge, MD; and Brian M.

Bruel, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Physicians Counseling

Committee: Harry L. Faust Jr., DO, Chair;

Timothy P. Bohan, MD; Donald R. Collins,

Jr., MD; Susan W. Fan, MD; Jonas Garcia,

MD; Ashok I. Khushalani, MD; Michael L.

Pipkin, MD; William J. Riley, MD; and

Eugene A. Degner, MD, consultant.

Special Committees

HCMS Community Health Improvement

and Communications Committee: K.

Suresh Reddy, MD, Chair; Jimmie L.

Bergeron, MD; Louise H. Bethea, MD; Salil

V. Deshpande, MD; Grant C. Fowler, MD;

Linda A. Goodrum, MD; Bruno P.

Granwehr, MD; Karl W. King, MD; Jacob

Tal, MD; and Umair A. Shah, MD.

HCMS D-Tag Tattoo Removal Program:

Michael V. Kelly II, MD, Chair; Melissa A.

Bogle, MD; James F. Boynton, MD;

Christopher Livingston, MD; Roberto

Montoya, MD; Ronald Rapini, MD; Ryan

Rogers, MD; Steven J. Smith, MD; and

Charlotte Stelly-Seitz, MD.

HCMS Health Information Technology

Committee: William S. Gilmer, MD, Chair;

Martin J. Citardi, MD; Alberto D. Cuellar,

MD; Lewis E. Foxhall, MD; Etai Funk, MD;

John C. Joe, MD; Philip A. Matorin, MD;

Donald R. Niño, MD; Edward R. Rensimer,

MD; Jose E. Rodriguez, MD; Manish

Rungta, MD; Michael E. Speer, MD; and

Tobias Samo, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Health Plan Liaison Committee:

Raza Pasha, MD, Chair; Almas Mecklai,

MD, Vice Chair; Brian M. Bruel, MD; Asif M.

Chaudhry, MD; Diana Eisner, MD; Denis K.

Hoasjoe, MD; Anthony J. Popek, MD; Jair

Soares, MD; Carlos J. Vital, MD; and Betty

J. Edwards, MD.

HCMS Health Care Quality Committee:

Ronald S. Walters, MD, Chair; Kulvinder S.

Bajwa, MD; John W. Burruss, MD; Maria S.

Gaeta, MD; Prasun K. Jalal, MD; Walter P.

Moore III, MD; James L. Nadler, MD; Kevin

Scott Winfield, MD; Richard L. Noel, MD,

consultant; JoAnne L. Rogers, MD, ex offi-

cio; and Elizabeth Torres, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Retired Physician Organization:

Lillian M. Fuller, MD, President; James A.

Butler, MD; Abbe A. Ledbetter Jr., MD;

Julian Silverblatt, MD; Shelly E. Liss, MD;

Allen D. Catterson, MD; Bruce D. Edison,

MD; Howard Z. Finkel, MD; Barry H.

Goodfriend, MD; J. Bernard Hicks, MD;

Alvin Jaffee, MD; Raymond C. Levin, MD;

Joseph T. Painter, MD; Angela Rechichi,

MD; Joel E. Reed, MD; and Peter V.

Weston, MD.

HCMS Young Physicians Organization,

formerly Council of Young Physicians:

Brian S. Goldfarb, MD, Chair; Atisha P.

Manhas, MD, Vice Chair; Ronda E.

Alexander, MD, Central Branch; Brian M.

Bruel, MD, Central Branch; Lindsay K.

Botsford, MD, East Branch; Scott W.

Oberhoff, MD, East Branch; Jonathan C.

Cheng, MD, Southeast Branch; Manish

Rungta, MD, Southeast Branch; Dipesh

Batra, MD, Southwest Branch; Carmen M.

Herrera, MD, Southwest Branch; Stephen

P. Krotz, MD, Western Branch; and D. Rick

Q. Ngo, MD, Western Branch.

Community Relations Projects

HCMS Boy Scout Physicals: Justin

Bogwu, MD; Lindsay K. Botsford, MD;

David Bubis, MD; James Butler, MD; Ann

M. Craig, MD; Kyle F. Dickson, MD; Ray M.

Fitzgerald, MD; Craig Johnson, MD; and

Elizabeth Yang, MD.

HCMS Mini-Internship Program: D. Rick

Q. Ngo, MD, Chair; David M. Anmuth, MD;

Luis H. Camacho, MD, MPh; Jeremy

Finkelstein, MD; William M. Granberry, MD;

Philip A. Matorin, MD; Bradford S. Patt,

MD; K. Suresh Reddy, MD; Mina K.

Sinacori, MD; Elizabeth Torres, MD; and

Carlos J. Vital, MD.

HCMS Science Engineering Fair of

Houston Judges: Frederick M. Pevow,

MD, Head Judge; Syed V. Ahmed, MD;

David W. Bauer, MD; James A. Butler, MD;

Mai L. Dinh, MD; Bruce D. Edison, MD;

Lewis J. Hellerstein, MD; Herbert S.

Jacobson, MD; Sewa S. Legha, MD;

Kalpna K. Mistry, MD; Dawn P. Nguyen,

MD; Donald R. Nino, MD; Robert J. Rubin,

MD; Charlotte M. Stelly-Seitz, MD; Nema I.

Uwaydah, MD; and Joshua L. Wilson, MD.

PhysicianAdvocateThe Harris County Medical Society serves as an advocate for physicians in Harris County. Physician Advocate is produced quarterly to provide highlights of HCMS advocacy on behalf of member physicians and their patients.

In the Dec. 1 issue, I thanked by name the member volunteers who attended meetings of the HCMS Executive Board/HAM Board

of Trustees, HCMS Board of Ethics, HCMS Board of Medical Legislation, and HCMS Board on Socioeconomics. Please join me in

thanking the following physicians who volunteered their time to attend meetings of the HCMS councils, boards, committees, and dele-

gations, and the branch officers and community service volunteers. Thank you for making a difference for physicians and their pa-

tients in 2012.

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 4

4 Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 / www.hcms.org www.hcms.org / Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 5

HCMS Central Branch Officers: Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD, President; Brian S. Goldfarb,

MD, President Elect; Brian S. Wang, MD,

Vice President; and George W. Williams II,

MD, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS East Branch Officers: Magdy A.

Abdelsayed, MD, President; Shariq J. Rauf,

MD, President Elect; Richard W. Demmler,

MD, Vice President; and J. Kevin Horn,

MD, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS North Branch Officers: David P.

Poindexter, MD, President; James S. Guo,

MD, President Elect; Michelle A. Zaniewski,

MD, Vice President; and Saurabh S.

Moonat, DO, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS Southeast Branch Officers:

Matthew D. Hoggatt, MD, President;

Theodoros Voloyiannis, MD, President

Elect; Jignesh P. Shah, MD, Vice President;

and Karan S. Bhalla, MD, Secretary/

Treasurer.

HCMS Southwest Branch Officers:

Daniel C. Corredor, MD, President;

Benjamin Interiano, MD, President Elect; J.

Guillermo Trabanino II, MD, Vice President;

and Eddie L. Patton Jr., MD, Secretary/

Treasurer.

HCMS Western Branch Officers: Liliane

Hay, MD, President; Christopher N.

Prichard, MD, President Elect; Muffaddal S.

Morkas, MD, Vice President; and Etai

Funk, MD, Secretary/Treasurer.

HCMS Nominating Board: Guru N.

Reddy, MD, Chair; Magdy A. Abdelsayed,

MD; Daniel C. Corredor, MD; Liliane Hay,

MD; Matthew D. Hoggatt, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Russell W. H. Kridel, MD;

Bradford S. Patt, MD; Steven M. Petak,

MD; and David P. Poindexter, MD.

HCMS Council of Hospital Chiefs of

Staff: Victor Fainstein, MD, Chair;

Elizabeth Bonefas, MD; Carmel Bitondo

Dyer, MD; Gerard E. Francisco, MD; Ellen

M. Friedman, MD; William S. Gilmer, MD;

Jon R. Gogola, MD; Muhammad Hanif,

MD; R. Andrew Harper III, MD; F. Lyone

Hochman, MD; Uzma Iqbal, MD; Paul J.

James, MD; Tien C. Ko, MD; Russell W. H.

Kridel, MD; Donald H. Mahoney Jr., MD;

Chi C. Mao, MD; Kenneth L. Mattox, MD; P.

D. Julie Nguyen, MD; Richard L. Noel, MD;

Thomas J. Parr, MD; George A. Peterkin III,

MD; M. Alma Rodriguez, MD; George D.

Santos, MD; Ana M. Torres, MD; Joseph

Varon, MD; and Matthew J. Wall Jr., MD.

HCMS Council of International and

Affiliated Medical Societies: Maria

Carmen A. Sarino, MD, Chair; Ajay

Aggarwal, MD; Ali Al-Himyary, MD;

Natarajan Bala, MD; Danny C. Chow, MD;

Tue A. Dinh, MD; Ray Hachem, MD; Abida

K. Haque, MD; Carlos Hernandez, MD;

Yvonne Kew, MD, PhD; Edward H.

Mazique, MD; Jose A. Perez Jr., MD;

Shariq J. Rauf, MD; Arnold Ravdel, MD;

Yasser Shaib, MD; Judy Shaw-Rice, MD;

Ghyasuddin Syed, MD; and Jay Zhu, MD.

HCMS Council of Specialty Societies:

Melissa A. Bogle, MD, Chair; Asra Ali, MD;

Randall W. Brauchle, MD; Phebe Chen,

MD; D. Lynn Dickens, MD; Konrad Harms,

MD; Kenneth W. Hollis, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Prasun Jalal, MD; Daryl K.

Knox, MD; Aaron M. Levine, MD; Carlos E.

Romero, MD; Erich M. Sturgis, MD; Carlos

J. Vital, MD; Stephen E. Whitney, MD; and

Michelle D. Williams, MD.

HCMS Delegation Officers: William S.

Gilmer, MD, Chair; Arlo F. Weltge, MD, Vice

Chair; and Charlotte M. Stelly-Seitz, MD,

Secretary.

HCMS Delegates to the TMA: Jessica A.

Alexander, MD; Raymond T. Alexander,

MD; Paul M. Allison, MD; David M. Anmuth,

MD; Mario Assouad, MD; Natarajan S.

Bala, MD; Martin Basaldua, MD; Janette K.

Bateman, MD; H. S. Bedi, MD; Jimmie L.

Bergeron, MD; Melissa A. Bogle, MD; Brian

M. Bruel, MD; Aeneid L. J. Chen, MD; Kelli

A. Cohen, MD; Susan G. Curling, MD; Kyle

F. Dickson, MD; Rakhi C. Dimino, MD;

Swapan Dubey, MD; Joel S. Dunnington,

MD; Betty J. Edwards, MD; Lisa L. Ehrlich,

MD; Harry L. Faust Jr., DO; Linda W.

Flower, MD; Etai Funk, MD; Kelly A. Gabler,

MD; Bernard M. Gerber, MD; Alan P.

Glombicki, MD; Luis G. Granier, MD;

Steven E. Haber, MD; R. Andrew Harper III,

MD; Kenneth W. Hollis, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Robert E. Jackson, MD;

Robert W. Jackson, MD; Nora A. Janjan,

MD; Luckett Johnson, MD; Teresa D.

Kaldis, MD; Karl W. King, MD; Christine E.

Koerner, MD; Russell W. H. Kridel, MD;

Gerald W. Maness, MD; Aurelio Matamoros

Jr., MD; Paul M. Mauk, MD; Almas A.

Mecklai, MD; Kimberly E. Monday, MD;

Walter P. Moore III, MD; Mark L. Nichols,

MD; Richard L. Noel, MD; Irwin S. Novak,

MD; Carla F. Ortique, MD; Debra M.

Osterman, MD; Joseph M. Perlman, MD;

Evan G. Pivalizza, MD; Susan P. Raine,

MD; Arnold Ravdel, MD; K. Suresh Reddy,

MD; Edward R. Rensimer, MD; Carlos E.

Romero, MD; Susan N. Rossmann, MD;

Raul Sepulveda, MD; Mina K. Sinacori,

MD; Alan W. Skolnick, MD; Richard Strax,

MD; Rosa A. Tang, MD; Ana M. Torres, MD;

Elizabeth Torres, MD; Robert C. Vanzant,

MD; Freemu K. Varghese, MD; Ronald S.

Walters, MD; Stephen E. Whitney, MD; and

Sherif Z. Zaafran, MD.

HCMS Alternate Delegates to the TMA:

Alan C. Baum, MD; Henry L. Bethea, MD;

Richard N. Bradley, MD; Donald R. Butts,

MD; Luis H. Camacho, MD; Asif M.

Chaudhry, MD; Charles E. Cowles Jr., MD;

Richard W. Demmler; MD; Salil V.

Deshpande, MD; John J. Fraser Jr., MD; P.

Ridgway Gilmer Jr., MD; George S. Glass,

MD; Bruno P. Granwehr, MD; Charleta

Guillory, MD; James S. Guo, MD; Ori Z.

Hampel, MD; Matthew D. Hoggatt, MD;

Pamela D. Holder, MD; Lisa M. Hollier, MD;

Felicity L. Mack, MD; Pamela L. Medellin,

MD; Vinh Q. Nguyen, MD; Steven M.

Petak, MD; Manish Rungta, MD; George D.

Santos, MD; Umair A. Shah, MD; Kelvin S.

Shaw, MD; Sarah L. Svoboda, MD; Arthur

L. Taitel, MD; Carlos Vallbona, MD; Brian

S. Wang, MD; George W. Williams II, MD;

and Crystal C. Wright, MD.

HCMS Ex Officio Delegation Members to

the TMA: Michael A. Altman, MD; Keith A.

Bourgeois, MD; Diana L. Fite, MD; William

H. Fleming III, MD; Lewis E. Foxhall, MD;

Tom Garcia, MD; Kenneth L. Mattox, MD;

Ira R. Nemeth, MD; Michael E. Speer, MD;

and Carlos J. Vital, MD.

HCMS TMA Delegates to the American

Medical Association: William H. Fleming

III, MD; and Tom Garcia, MD.

HCMS TMA Alternate Delegates to the

American Medical Association: Diana L.

Fite, MD; and Kenneth L. Mattox, MD.

Standing Committees

HCMS Bylaws Committee: Gary J.

Sheppard, MD, Chair; Alan P. Glombicki,

MD; Arlo F. Weltge, MD; and Robert B.

Morrow, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Emergency Care Committee:

Swapan Dubey, MD, Chair; Richard N.

Bradley, MD; Charles E. Cowles Jr., MD;

Jeremy P. Finkelstein, MD; Diana L. Fite,

MD; Steven M. Haber, MD; Shkelzen

Hoxhaj, MD; Aurelio Matamoros Jr., MD;

Angela Siler-Fisher, MD; Arlo F. Weltge,

MD; Scott T. Wiesenborn, MD; Ira E.

Nemeth, MD, ex officio; Frank A. Redmond,

MD, ex officio; David E. Persse, MD, City of

Houston Medical Director; and Umair A.

Shah, MD.

HCMS Membership Committee: Etai

Funk, MD, Chair; David M. Anmuth, MD;

Louise H. Bethea, MD; Lindsay K. Botsford,

MD; Jonathan C. Cheng, MD; Carmen M.

Herrera, MD; Stephan P. Krotz, MD;

Brenda K. Moore, MD; Richard L. Noel,

MD; Arlo F. Weltge, MD; and Brian M.

Bruel, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Physicians Counseling

Committee: Harry L. Faust Jr., DO, Chair;

Timothy P. Bohan, MD; Donald R. Collins,

Jr., MD; Susan W. Fan, MD; Jonas Garcia,

MD; Ashok I. Khushalani, MD; Michael L.

Pipkin, MD; William J. Riley, MD; and

Eugene A. Degner, MD, consultant.

Special Committees

HCMS Community Health Improvement

and Communications Committee: K.

Suresh Reddy, MD, Chair; Jimmie L.

Bergeron, MD; Louise H. Bethea, MD; Salil

V. Deshpande, MD; Grant C. Fowler, MD;

Linda A. Goodrum, MD; Bruno P.

Granwehr, MD; Karl W. King, MD; Jacob

Tal, MD; and Umair A. Shah, MD.

HCMS D-Tag Tattoo Removal Program:

Michael V. Kelly II, MD, Chair; Melissa A.

Bogle, MD; James F. Boynton, MD;

Christopher Livingston, MD; Roberto

Montoya, MD; Ronald Rapini, MD; Ryan

Rogers, MD; Steven J. Smith, MD; and

Charlotte Stelly-Seitz, MD.

HCMS Health Information Technology

Committee: William S. Gilmer, MD, Chair;

Martin J. Citardi, MD; Alberto D. Cuellar,

MD; Lewis E. Foxhall, MD; Etai Funk, MD;

John C. Joe, MD; Philip A. Matorin, MD;

Donald R. Niño, MD; Edward R. Rensimer,

MD; Jose E. Rodriguez, MD; Manish

Rungta, MD; Michael E. Speer, MD; and

Tobias Samo, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Health Plan Liaison Committee:

Raza Pasha, MD, Chair; Almas Mecklai,

MD, Vice Chair; Brian M. Bruel, MD; Asif M.

Chaudhry, MD; Diana Eisner, MD; Denis K.

Hoasjoe, MD; Anthony J. Popek, MD; Jair

Soares, MD; Carlos J. Vital, MD; and Betty

J. Edwards, MD.

HCMS Health Care Quality Committee:

Ronald S. Walters, MD, Chair; Kulvinder S.

Bajwa, MD; John W. Burruss, MD; Maria S.

Gaeta, MD; Prasun K. Jalal, MD; Walter P.

Moore III, MD; James L. Nadler, MD; Kevin

Scott Winfield, MD; Richard L. Noel, MD,

consultant; JoAnne L. Rogers, MD, ex offi-

cio; and Elizabeth Torres, MD, ex officio.

HCMS Retired Physician Organization:

Lillian M. Fuller, MD, President; James A.

Butler, MD; Abbe A. Ledbetter Jr., MD;

Julian Silverblatt, MD; Shelly E. Liss, MD;

Allen D. Catterson, MD; Bruce D. Edison,

MD; Howard Z. Finkel, MD; Barry H.

Goodfriend, MD; J. Bernard Hicks, MD;

Alvin Jaffee, MD; Raymond C. Levin, MD;

Joseph T. Painter, MD; Angela Rechichi,

MD; Joel E. Reed, MD; and Peter V.

Weston, MD.

HCMS Young Physicians Organization,

formerly Council of Young Physicians:

Brian S. Goldfarb, MD, Chair; Atisha P.

Manhas, MD, Vice Chair; Ronda E.

Alexander, MD, Central Branch; Brian M.

Bruel, MD, Central Branch; Lindsay K.

Botsford, MD, East Branch; Scott W.

Oberhoff, MD, East Branch; Jonathan C.

Cheng, MD, Southeast Branch; Manish

Rungta, MD, Southeast Branch; Dipesh

Batra, MD, Southwest Branch; Carmen M.

Herrera, MD, Southwest Branch; Stephen

P. Krotz, MD, Western Branch; and D. Rick

Q. Ngo, MD, Western Branch.

Community Relations Projects

HCMS Boy Scout Physicals: Justin

Bogwu, MD; Lindsay K. Botsford, MD;

David Bubis, MD; James Butler, MD; Ann

M. Craig, MD; Kyle F. Dickson, MD; Ray M.

Fitzgerald, MD; Craig Johnson, MD; and

Elizabeth Yang, MD.

HCMS Mini-Internship Program: D. Rick

Q. Ngo, MD, Chair; David M. Anmuth, MD;

Luis H. Camacho, MD, MPh; Jeremy

Finkelstein, MD; William M. Granberry, MD;

Philip A. Matorin, MD; Bradford S. Patt,

MD; K. Suresh Reddy, MD; Mina K.

Sinacori, MD; Elizabeth Torres, MD; and

Carlos J. Vital, MD.

HCMS Science Engineering Fair of

Houston Judges: Frederick M. Pevow,

MD, Head Judge; Syed V. Ahmed, MD;

David W. Bauer, MD; James A. Butler, MD;

Mai L. Dinh, MD; Bruce D. Edison, MD;

Lewis J. Hellerstein, MD; Herbert S.

Jacobson, MD; Sewa S. Legha, MD;

Kalpna K. Mistry, MD; Dawn P. Nguyen,

MD; Donald R. Nino, MD; Robert J. Rubin,

MD; Charlotte M. Stelly-Seitz, MD; Nema I.

Uwaydah, MD; and Joshua L. Wilson, MD.

PhysicianAdvocateThe Harris County Medical Society serves as an advocate for physicians in Harris County. Physician Advocate is produced quarterly to provide highlights of HCMS advocacy on behalf of member physicians and their patients.

In the Dec. 1 issue, I thanked by name the member volunteers who attended meetings of the HCMS Executive Board/HAM Board

of Trustees, HCMS Board of Ethics, HCMS Board of Medical Legislation, and HCMS Board on Socioeconomics. Please join me in

thanking the following physicians who volunteered their time to attend meetings of the HCMS councils, boards, committees, and dele-

gations, and the branch officers and community service volunteers. Thank you for making a difference for physicians and their pa-

tients in 2012.

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 4

Visit the calendar online at www.hcms.org

January Calendar

www.hcms.org / Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 36 Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 / www.hcms.org

Hot Member BenefitSearch for physicians

by languageDid you know that you can find a refer-

ring physician by language? The HarrisCounty Medical Society Health Plan LiaisonCommittee has created a table that explainshow to find a physician by language on theWeb sites of the top five health plans inHouston (Aetna, BCBSTX, CIGNA, Humana,and UnitedHealthcare).

To download the instructions, go towww.hcms. org/Template.aspx?id=1359.

In MemoriamCharles A. Spain, MD, a radiologist, died onNov. 20. He had been a member of HCMSsince 1959.

Maria D. Nikolaidis, MD, a pediatrician,died Nov. 19. She had been a member ofHCMS since 1979.

Shopping for products

for your practice?Are you shopping for a product for your prac-

tice, but don’t know where to start? The HCMSBuyer’s Guide on the HCMS Web site is an excellentresource for you. Go to www.hcms.org and clickon “Medserv/Practice Services” and then “BuyersGuide” for an index by product category with serv-ices ranging from accounting to Web page design.Some vendors in the guide may feature specialoffers for HCMS members.

You can email the vendor from the Buyer’sGuide site or view their Web site before you call.When contacting a vendor from the Buyer’s Guide,be sure to let them know you heard about themfrom HCMS. If you work with them, give Medservfeedback about the experience by emailingholly@medserv-hcms.com.

Presented by Medserv

Tuesday 1New Year’s Day, HCMS Offices Closed

Monday 76:30 p.m., Houston Dermatological Society,Grappino di Nino

Tuesday 86:30 p.m., Physician Organization of Women,Sonoma Wine Bar and Restaurant

Wednesday 96:30 p.m., Harris County Academy of FamilyPhysicians, Maggiano’s

Thursday 106:30 p.m., Houston Orthopedic Society, Brennan’s

Monday 146 p.m., Houston Radiological Society, Trevisio

Tuesday 156:30 p.m., Houston Pediatric Society, Location: TBA

Wednesday 166:30 p.m., Houston Psychiatric Society, Trevisio

Thursday 176:30 p.m., Hiispanic American Medical Association ofHouston, Location: TBA

Friday 186:30 p.m., HCMS/HAM Installation of Officers,Petroleum Club

Wednesday 236:30 p.m., Houston Surgical Society, Location: TBA

Thursday 316:30 p.m., Houston Society of Otolaryngology &Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons CombinedMeeting, The Grove

6:30 p.m., Texas Gulf Coast GastroenterologicalSociety, Location: TBA

HIT ParadeSecond chance to file eRx exemption

Physicians who missed the June 30 deadline will have a second chance to file for 2013 e-prescribing (eRx) exemption to avoid a 1.5 percent penalty on their traditional fee-for-servicepatients (Medicare Part B).

Physicians meeting any one of the criteria listed below can apply for a hardship exemp-tion online with Medicare until Jan. 31, 2013.

1. Physician cannot electronically prescribe due to local, state, or federal law or regulation (e.g., you prescribe controlled substances). 2. Physician prescribes less than 100 prescriptions, this means all prescriptions not just Medicare between Jan. 1 and June 30. 3. Physician practice is in a rural area without high-speed Internet access.4. Physician practice is in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing.

Physicians participating in the Medicare or Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR)Incentive Programs may qualify for one of the two criteria listed below. Medicare will checkthe EHR Incentive Programs Registration and Attestation Web site for qualifying physiciansand automatically exempt them.

1. To qualify for the exemption, physicians should be meaningfully using their EHR for 90 days (if attesting for the first year) or for a full year (for all subsequent year) at some point during Jan. 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012, and attest to this by Jan. 21, 2013.

a. Meaningful use means physicians must be able to use their EHR and enter all infor-mation required to meet the 15 core criteria and five menu criteria for at least 80 per-cent of their patients.

2. Physicians who are not yet using but are in the process of adopting an EHR must regis-ter for the EHR Incentive Program by Jan. 21, 2013. Physicians must enter their entire EHR certification number into the CMS EHR certification ID field on the registration and attestation Web site to receive this hardship.

Note: Meeting anyone of the criteria above will exempt physicians from the 2013 1.5 per-cent eRx penalty. However, to receive a 0.5 percent 2013 eRx incentive, physicians must stillreport 25 eRx events using the G8553 claims code with dates of service Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2013,to reach the Medicare claims database by Feb. 22, 2014.

- The eRx event will only count towards the 25 if the G8553 is associated with these billing codes: 90801, 90802, 90804, 90805, 90806, 90807, 90808, 90809, 90862, 92002, 92004, 92012, 92014, 96150, 96151, 96152, 99201, 99202, 99203, 99204, 99205, 99211, 99212, 99213, 99214, 99215, 99304, 99305, 99306, 99307, 99308, 99309, 99310, 99315, 99316, 99324, 99325, 99326, 99327, 99328, 99334, 99335, 99336, 99337, 99341, 99342, 99343, 99344, 99345, 99347, 99348, 99349, 99350, G0101, G0108, and G0109.

For more information, go to www.hcms.org and click on Health Information Technology.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Presented by the HCMS Health Information Technology Committee

Trend: Health care

among most trustedIn its "Healthwatch" blog, The Hill

(12/4, Baker) reports that "medical profes-sionals are some of the most trusted peoplein the U.S., according to new data fromGallup." The blog said that "the polling firmasked respondents to rate the 'honesty andethical standards' of various professions, andthe top of the list is full of health care pro-fessionals." It adds that "nurses polled thebest, with 85 percent saying they have highor very high ethical standards."

Source: AMA Morning Rounds, Dec. 4, 2012

Your membership renewalIt’s time to renew your Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) membership for 2013! The

statements this year look a little different. The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is mailing thestatements and processing the dues on HCMS’ behalf. The main difference in the statements isthat checks should be made payable to TMA vs. HCMS. If you are paying by credit card, pleasenote that your credit card statement will show that the charge is from TMA, not HCMS.

Renewing your dues is fast and easy. Use any of the options listed below:1. Detach the payment slip included in your dues statement and mail with your check or credit card payment to the address indicated on the form;2. Renew online at www.texmed.org/join; or3. Set up an installment plan - Call HCMS at 713-524-4267.

HCMS, the largest county medical society in the nation, is the leading advocate for physi-cians, their patients and the community in Harris County. Together with TMA, the largest statemedical association in the nation, they are a strong physician advocate in Harris County, Texasand the United States. Your dues enable both organizations to defend physicians’ and patients’interests and help physicians protect the viability of their practices. Your 2012 membershipexpires on Jan. 1, 2013. If you have questions, contact HCMS at 713-524-4267.

Bio cards in December, Roster in JuneBio cards to update your information for the HCMS/HAM Pictorial Roster will arrive by mail starting Dec. 21. Take time to review the infor-

mation and make corrections or updates. The deadline to turn in your bio cards is March 28, 2013. Does this seem later that usual? It is later,because the HCMS/HAM 2013-2014 Pictorial Roster will now be delivered in June. Active members will receive their free copy in June.

Need current information now? HCMS has a new Online Member Directory you can use today. You can access more physician information,which includes fax and NPI numbers, e-mail addresses, as well as the current information in the Roster. It’s for HCMS members only. Go towww.hcms.org and click on the box on the home page. Use your TMA log in to access the Online Member Directory.

All HCMS members have a complimentary biographical listing in the Online Member Directory. You can now add information about yourpractice, such as languages spoken, office locations, or procedures performed, with a Practice Listing in the Online Member Directory and PictorialRoster. For an annual fee of $215 you can have Online Practice Listings for all HCMS members in your practice in the Online Member Directoryplus one free Practice Listing in the 2013-2014 HCMS Pictorial Roster. Create the Online Practice Listing at your convenience by clicking thebox on www.hcms.org for the Online Member Directory and logging into your profile. The deadline to participate is April 1, 2013.

Business of Medicine: Choosing a new billing companyIn the July 15 issue of the newsletter, we provided steps to take when meeting with your poor-performing billing company. If, after

working with your billing representative, you are still having problems, you may now be considering switching to a new billing company. The most important thing to remember when going through this process is: “Will this be a good fit for my business?” Good fit means:

Does the company you are considering do a good job managing practices your size? Once you have narrowed down your options, here aresome other very important questions to ask:

1. What is your rate? Keep in mind that if a company is going to provide you with amazing service, that extra 1 percent might just getyou to a much better place with your business, and be well worth the extra expense. Keep an open mind.

2. If we collect the patient co-pays and co-insurance, or if a patient pays a cash rate, do you still collect your percent with thosemonies collected? The answer should be “No.” If you and your staff are taking the time and effort to collect this up front, then that moneyshould be 100 percent yours. There are no administrative costs incurred to the billing company (i.e., time, printing statements, mailing, etc.)so they should be not be adding that into your bill.

3. Do I have a designated representative I can talk to? Does he/she work on my accounts consistently? The answer should be “Yes.”With the insurance industry as volatile as it is, accounts can get very complicated, so it is important that you have the same people workingon your accounts. If patients call in and ask to speak with your representative, they should be able to get the rep on the phone. Rememberthat this team is an extension of your business.

4. How do you handle payment denials and delays? This should be an easy one. The answer should be “Quickly and efficiently.” Theyshould be asking for items from your staff which might include: copy of health card, RX, DX, copy of initial evaluation, chart notes, etc.,every week, if not more often. The quicker your staff can get these items to them, the quicker they can appeal. Some insurance companiesdeny up front in order to delay payment. A good billing company knows who these insurance companies are and can help you get paid onthose services much quicker.

5. Who keeps track of my business statistics and analysis? This answer should be you. You are ultimately responsible for your bottomline. However, a good and reputable billing company will have this information available to you on a daily basis through a Web site or portal.It is very important to know how to access your daily A/R, and if this is not provided, this would certainly be a red flag. The company alsoshould have business analysis individuals who can help answer any questions you may have, and be happy to do so.

6. Can you help me integrate my EHR with your billing company? This answer should be “Yes, most definitely.” However, some billingcompanies are scrambling to make sure their systems are “talking” with all of the new EHR systems coming out every day. Ask them up frontwhich systems are compatible. Source: Physicians Practice

Presented by the HCMS Board on Socioeconomics

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 3

Universal Physicians, P.A.: Full-time and moon-

lighting house MDs needed for long-term acute

care facilities. Memorial City/Bellaire/Pasadena/Clearlake. ACLS required. Flexible scheduling, imme-diate openings. Telemedicine opportunities also avail-able. Email or call for details: jobs@Universal

Physicians.com, or 832-295-0921.

STATE-OF-THE-ART DENTAL PRACTICE , SINCE2005, 1001 FM 270 LEAGUE CITY TX ,IS LOOKINGTO SUBLEASE 8 EXAM RMS, 2 FURNISHED LABS,MINIMUM 3 RMS per tenant (DOCTORS/DENTIST)$1000/RM MONTHLY SPLIT UTILITIES, WATER ANDELECTRIC . VALUED OVER $1000,000.moradi.mark@gmail.com, or call 281-536-2734.

President’sPage

2 Harris County Physician Newsletter / Dec 15, 2012 / www.hcms.org Classified ads are run on a first-come, first-serve basis. For rate information, call 713-524-4267. Advertising is subject to acceptance by publisher.

Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising. Publication of an ad is not to be considered an endorsement or approval by HCMS.

All articles in The Harris County Physician Newsletter that mention HCMS’ stance on state legislation are defined as “legislative advertising,” according to Tex. Gov’t. Code Ann.§305.027. That law requires disclosure of the name and address of the person who contracts with the printer to publish legislative advertising in The Harris County PhysicianNewsletter. Greg Bernica, executive vice president, Harris County Medical Society, 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004-7126.

The Harris County Physician Newsletter (USPS 960-580) is the official publication of the Harris County Medical Society. Offices: 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston TX 77004-7126,(713) 524-HCMS (4267), www.hcms.org. It is Published 20 times per year - twice monthly except in January, June, July, and August, which are monthly. The subscriptionrate is $15.00 per year. Single copies are 75 cents. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Harris County Physician Newsletter, 1515Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004-7126.

Making positive changes

Margaret Mead said it best: “Never doubt that a small groupof thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.” Thisis certainly true of Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) andTexas Medical Association (TMA) physicians who have beenworking to make Harris County and Texas healthier for physi-cians and our patients. Although we are facing many uncertain-ties and challenges in health care, HCMS and TMA physicianshave strived to find the opportunities.

We began the year by tackling physicians’ Medicare pay-ments. Fourteen HCMS physicians met with CongressmanKevin Brady to discuss how Congress could fix the SGR, physi-cians’ Medicare payment system. Following the roundtable dis-cussion, the Congressman joined the physicians in holding anews conference with the local media. Several television andradio stations reported about the issue. Also, TMA, along with63 national medical organizations, specialty societies, medicalgroup management organizations, 44 state medical associa-tions, and the Medical Society of District of Columbia, sent aletter to Congress urging it to fix Medicare permanently.Although Congress did stop the scheduled cuts to physicians’Medicare payments in 2012, it did not fix the SGR. So, HCMSand TMA have begun a new Medicare campaign against the2013 scheduled cuts.

Our HCMS physicians continued our legislative efforts atthe national and state levels through interaction with electedand regulatory officials and relationships with various organiza-tions. HCMS has been working with the Greater HoustonPartnership, Harris County Healthcare Alliance, the TexasMedical Center, and others so that they would understand howvarious laws will affect patients. Also, our HCMS Delegationinfluenced TMA policy by taking 24 resolutions to TMA, mostof which passed or were referred.

HCMS and TMA have successfully advocated to the stateLegislature and the Texas Medical Board (TMB) for improve-ments in its policies by using the information collectedthrough HCMS membership surveys on the TMB. Theseimprovements have included: changing the initial letterresponse time from 30 to 45 days; providing physicians withthe name and address of complainants when it is an insurancecompany or pharmaceutical company; and eliminating TMBacceptance of anonymous complaints. HCMS recently collectedinformation on its fourth survey, which shows vast improve-ment in physicians’ view of the TMB.

Numerous policy changes, benefiting patients and physi-cians, as well as the collection of physician payments havecome as result of HCMS physicians regularly meeting withhealth plans, Medicare, elected officials, and regulators toresolve physician issues. This year, the HCMS Payment AdvocacyDepartment collected more than $1.85 million in money owedto physicians. Since 2000, HCMS has assisted both academicand private physicians in collecting more than $19 million.HCMS is now working with the American Medical Association(AMA) to simplify administrative processes with health plans.

Other advocacy efforts this year have included, HCMS com-menting on “meaningful use” Stage 2; identifying vendors toassist with meaningful use certification; meetings with hospi-tals on the Medicaid 1115 Waiver; and working with GreaterHouston Healthconnect (GHH) to create a secure patient infor-

mation exchange. As a result of TMA and AMA advocacy, ICD-10, the new diagnosis codes proposed for implementation byMedicare, was delayed. Our HCMS Emergency Care Committeetook on a longstanding issue of emergency department over-crowding. It identified innovative approaches to address theissue, which were disseminated to hospitals.

Both, physicians and our patients want to know how theAffordable Care Act (ACA) will affect them. TMA reviewed the3,000+ page ACA document and created the document, “ACA:Find What’s Missing, Keep What Works, Fix What’s Broken,” sothat we could understand and address issues found missing inthe ACA. TMA also developed seminars, telephone conferences,and both HCMS and TMA developed committees (quality andhealth information technology) to help guide us with changesin health care.

There were many new state and federal compliances thatwere not a part of ACA that required action by physicians thisyear. HCMS worked diligently to assist us in keep up with themby: creating a Medicare/Medicaid compliance calendar to keepus updated on what was due and when; creating a Medicare/Medicaid incentive calculator to help us decide if the incen-tives, as written, were worth pursuing; and educating us on thenew Medicare Administrative Contractor, Novitas Solutions, bydedicating a Web page, many articles and emails on the transi-tion.

Because the health care system is changing so rapidly,HCMS and TMA have been working to bring us information onalternative practice models. Information is available on theHCMS Web site and through TMA’s book “Non-physicianPractitioners.” Additionally, TMA developed several Webinars,investigative tools to assist us, held three seminars in Houston,and created the TMA Futures Institute.

To help us in our everyday practices, HCMS has beenimproving membership services. HCMS developed the OnlineMember Directory so that now we can look up current informationon our colleagues, such as email addresses, fax numbers, NPInumbers, as well as biographical information. Networkingreceptions and ethics CME seminars on the business of medi-cine were held throughout Houston. Additionally, an upgradewas made to our HCMS Physician Referral System to make itmore useful. These are just a few of the services HCMS has tooffer to help us in our practices. New services are being addedas physicians’ needs change.

I’m very proud of HCMS and all it has been able to accom-plish. This year, while other organizations struggled for mem-bership, HCMS reached a milestone of 11,000 members. It isour physicians who make this organization great, and moreimportantly, make a difference in health care. Next year, being alegislative year, there will be numerous opportunities for posi-tive change. With our strong leadership team led by RussellKridel, MD, as president, I am certain we will be successful.Please join me in thanking all of our dedicated volunteer physi-cians who helped us meet this year’s challenges, named in theDec. 1 issue and this issue’s Advocate.

It’s been an honor working with the greatest physicians andthe greatest medical society in the nation. Thank you for allyour hard work, kind words and encouragement throughoutthe year. It has been an experience I will treasure forever!

Keith A.

Bourgeois, M.D.

President

Multi-location Medical Clinics in Houston Area

is looking for Part-Time / Full-Time Family

Practioners. Excellent compensation. Email C.V. tohelenac@drclh.com, or call 281-496-2526 ext. 107.

PEDIATRICIAN WANTED: Pediatrician to join arespected and well established large family and multi-specialty practice in Webster, Texas. Brand new officebuilding with EMR and state of the art equipment.Please send your CV to: candice.lopez@

gulfcoastmed.com or fax CV to 281-724-0220.

FOR SALE: URGENT CARE CLINIC LOCATED IN

NW HOUSTON (1960 AREA) Great opportunity forphysicians interested in Primary Care... MUST HAVEMINOR SURGICAL SKILLS IN EMERGENCIES. Andexperience in Chronic and Irratractable Pain. Musthave CLASS 2 and 3 Schedules… Email all resumesand inquiries to: Dockuy@aol.com.

PEDIATRICIANS NEEDED in Greater HOUSTON Area

PT or Locum Pediatric Position. Weekend (Noon to7pm) , Night (5-11pm weekdays) and Holiday (noon to7pm) shifts for PT; primarily weekend shifts for Locum.Urgent Care Practices located in Sugar Land and CyFair. Acute care only, with great work environment andopportunity to do urgent care procedures. Call 832-

202-6285 or agentlemd@nightlightpediatrics.com

PHYSICIAN NEEDED FOR ONE MONTH, in a painmanagement office. Well structured practice with goodpatient base. From mid December 2012 to midJanuary 2013, Weekdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Goodcompensation, call Donna at 713-450-4945, or fax CVto 713-450-4928.

Houston Center for Infectious Diseases is lookingfor a Physician, N.P., or Physician Assistant to join ouroffice in The Woodlands. Full Time position with greatbenefits. Email your CV or Resume todkrantz.hcid@hotmail.com

Medical Office Space Pearland. New Clinic. 2,800 sq ft. 10 Exam Rooms. FM/IM physician looking tosublease 5 Exam Rooms to Podiatrist, Opthalmo-logist, Dermatologist OR Subspecialty Physician look-ing to expand practice. Share Lab, Waiting Area,Reception, Break Room. Off 288 and Shadow CreekRanch. Email drmussaji@yahoo.com.

Unique medical business opportunity. Established

gynecology clinic is seeking Physician, Board

Certified or eligible in Ob/Gyn. Candidate must bepro-choice, experienced in office surgery. Flexible workschedule, exceptional compensation in reputableHouston clinic. Resume please houstongynclinic@

gmail.com

Medical Office Space in Memorial on I-10 corridor

for rent 2-3 days/half-days per week. Fully equipped,with 3 exam rooms, waiting room, nurse’s station andpatient greeting area. Quiet office building 2 miles eastof MHMC on south I-10 feeder road. Negotiable terms.Contact: Leslie 713-932-8664, ext. 304, orlmhaber@rmcmed.com.

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 2

PhysicianH a r r i s C o u n t y

John P. McGovern Building1515 Hermann DriveHouston, TX 77004-7126

usPs 960-580

AT HOUSTON, TEXAS

PAID

PERIODICALS POSTAGE

The official publication of the Harris County Medical Society • Volume 54 • Number 20 • December 15, 2012

HCMSHarris County Medical Society

N e w s l e t t e r PhysicianH a r r i s C o u n t y

N e w s l e t t e r

HCMS Newsletter presented by the HCMS Community Health Improvement & Communications Committee

Scan herefor newsletter

Rosalia Resendiz, pictured above, was captivated by the sights

and sounds of the holidays at the Harris County Medical Society

Alliance’s 39th annual “Touch, Smell & Hear” event for mentally

and/or physically challenged children at the John P. McGovern

Museum of Health & Medical Science on Dec. 3. Approximately

450 children experienced the holidays through their senses by

touching and smelling interactive decorated ornaments on the

trees, listening to live choir music and meeting Santa.

Installation of Officers &

Leadership RecognitionJoin us Friday, Jan. 18, as Russell W. H. Kridel, MD is

installed as president of HCMS, and Bradford Patt, MD, aspresident of the Houston Academy of Medicine (HAM),and recognize the 2013 leadership of HCMS and HAM. Thekeynote speaker will be Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD, for-mer president of the American Medical Association. Watchyour mail for your invitation.

Make calls to the CongressYour help is needed to convince Congress to stop the

Medicare financing it uses to pay physicians. Please callWashington at 7 a.m. every Tuesday, until Congress stopsthis year’s 27.5-percent payment cut and agrees to fix thedefective Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. Get com-mitments from Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchisonand your representative to fix the 12-year-old problem. Fortalking points and congressional phone numbers, go theMedicare Meltdown Action Center at www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=18822, on the TMA Web site.

Source: TMAPresented by the HCMS Board of Medical Legislation

Medicaid fees to Medicare ratesThe federal government is a master of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Now it is

applying that strategy to two of our most important issues. One aspect of theAffordable Care Act (ACA) that was a plus for physicians was the promise tobring Medicaid rates up to Medicare levels in 2013. Now, some in Congressare proposing to scrap that idea and use the money that would have funded itto pay for a one-year SGR fix. To add to the madness, even if the parity cut isnot stopped, sources from Austin state that physicians are looking at a delay inparity payments that could be as late as June. Either way, do not plan onreceiving a Medicare parity payment from Medicaid starting January 2013.

The Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) has been informed by theTexas Medical Association (TMA) that several developments regarding theimpending primary care physician Medicaid payment increase may be undera threat of extinction before it is even implemented. Under the law, Medicaidpayments to primary care physicians (i.e., pediatricians, family physicians,general internists, and related subspecialists) will increase to Medicare parityfor two years for E&M and vaccine administration codes. The fee increaseapplies to Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care and will be paid forentirely with federal funds for two years. However, recently, the HouseRepublicans presented a proposal to the Senate Finance Committee to divertthe $15 billion that is allocated to the Medicaid PCP rate increase to preventthe scheduled 27.5 percent Medicare physician payment reduction. TheAmerican Medical Association (AMA) and national primary care physicianspecialty societies are spearheading a sign-on letter opposing the effort. TMAsupported the letter, which was sent to Congressional leaders on Dec. 4.HCMS leadership also sent letters to Congressional leaders on behalf of themembership opposing the use of the Medicare parity dollars to stop the SGRcut in 2013. Physicians deserve both the parity payment and a decentMedicare payment. Organized medicine is urging Congress to stop the cutand increase payments to physicians who care for Medicare patients.

In addition, assuming the federal funds for the Medicaid increase remainintact, state officials have informed TMA that it - and the majority of otherstates - will not be able to implement the rate increase on Jan. 1, because ofthe numerous outstanding technical and system changes that must beaddressed. The final federal rules governing the rate increase were not releaseduntil Nov. 1. The Health and Human Services Commission and other stateMedicaid agencies are working with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) to resolve the technical questions. For example, to receive the higherpayments, physicians will be required to self-attest that they are eligible forthe dollars, but, at this time, it is not clear how this process will work.

Texas has proposed that once it implements the rate increase, the state andHMOs will pay practices a lump sum for claims submitted retroactive to Jan.1, then pay the adjusted rate on each claim going forward. Look for updatesin the upcoming issues of HCMS Physician Newsletter and on the HCMS Web site,www.hcms.org.

Source: Texas Medical Association Presented by the HCMS Board on Socioeconomics

12-15-12_September 1 2006.qxd 12/17/2012 12:11 PM Page 1